Letters to the Editor
Dear Editor:
As a former student at IVCC and resident of the Illinois Valley, I try to read a copy of the IV Leader every chance I get. I was pleased to see the article “All Shook Up’ cast performs with ‘50s grace,” as I’m a member of the cast and longtime member of the Cabaret family.
As a professional performer, I’ve learned to take criticism, no matter what kind, with grace. But in the same respect, sheer fabrication isn’t something that I enjoy reading. Did this reporter actually attend the show? Some, if not most of the information in the article was totally false.
I’m not speaking of the criticisms on the sound system or the music and vocal selections. I’m speaking of “distracting when the microphone fell off their stands repeatedly.” We have no hand-held microphones. Ever since day one, we have used body mikes that are wired to our heads. She also spoke of the lack of skits in the 2nd act, and that the skits in the first act were enjoyable.
There are no skits. As I said before, I’m no stranger to criticism. And while the reporter did actually happen to say very nice things about my performance in particular, I’m not entirely sure she attended the show at all. A great deal of that article was fabricated.
As a proud member of the cast of this show, I’m upset to read something that is untrue, and that may in fact turn people away from a fantastic theatre experience. I assure you that this is nothing but the most professional and wonderful of casts and productions.
Erin M. Gibson
Editor’s note: Editing to the article on “All Shook Up” changed the columnist’s original wording, which said, “they had to keep holding their microphones because they kept falling off and it looked very bad.” The skits referred to the talking leading into the songs in the first act. The end of the article was cut off due to a font problem with the off-site printer. The last line read: “Overall, though, this is a pretty good show. If you like ‘50s music, you will probably enjoy this show.”